Thank you for your thoughtful and illuminating piece, . Much needed analysis from outside of the narrow confines of a poverty paradigm, and well beyond the official 'criminal' supposition. In my own observations of the unfolding crisis in Johannesburg (some of which have been captured in a recent past issue of this fine website) it was clear that the attacks were not simply confined to 'foreigners', and this is now confirmed by the report yesterday that 21 of the deaths were of SA nationals.

Of course they could have been nationalised nationals if you follow me, but nevertheless, we are clearly looking at something more than a 'fear of foreigners' here, and your piece is helpful in making us survey a wider range of options. The references to Fanon are also helpful, and think this could be followed further and especially in relation to really understanding the meaning of alienation and powerlessness that you implicitly begin to unravel for us with reference to both Lindela and the response of the Durban shack dwellers.

I also thought you might like to know that in my union (SAMWU) there is evidence of both xenophobic comment and profound sympathy for and solidarity with the victims of it, and sometimes from the same person! Unpacking such contradictions could be fruitful in guiding the campaign work that must be done. Hope this is helpful.